DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CG 57)

FLEET POST OFFICE

SAN FRANCISCO. CA 9667 1 -1 177

5757 Ser C057/ 124

From: Commanding Officer, USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CG 57) To: Director of Naval Hiatory, Washington Navy Yard (OP-09BH)

Subj: COMMAND HISTORY

Ref: (a) OPNAVINST 5750.12D

Encl: (1) Chronolofiy (2 ) Narrative (3) Supporting Documents

1. In accordance with reference (a) , (3) are forwarded.

'.

03 JAN

04 JAN

05 JAN

08 JAN

07 JAN

09 JAN

13 JAN

16 JAN

23 JAN

25 JAN

27 JAN

01 FEB

02 FEB

03 FEB

04 FEB

07-08 FlEB

13-15 FEB

14-17 FEB

18 FEB

20 FBB

20-23 F:EB

USS LAKE C W L A I I (CO 57 1989 CHBOIOLOGY

- HOLIDAY LEAVE AND UPKEEP PERIOD ENDS

- GEORGE WASHINGTON NROTC UNIT TOUR

- UNDERWAY, EN ROUTE SEAL BEACH

- WEAPONS/AMMUNITION OFFLOAD, SEAL BEACH

- RETURN TO NAVAL STATION SAN DIEGO

- INSURV BOARD ARRIVES AS FINAL CONTRACT TRIALS (FCT) BEGIN

- POST SHAKEDOWN AVAILABILITY (PSA) CONFERENCE, FCT ENDS - RESTRICTED AVAILABILITY (SRA) COMMENCES AS REPLACEMENT

BEGINS ON HURRICANE BULWARK

- 3M ASSIST, NATO ASSEMBLY VIP TOUR - SUPSHIP PSA ARRIVAL CONFERENCE, CO/XO LUNCHEON - BERTHING BARGE INSPECTION, 3M ASSIST CONCLUDES

- ASW COMBAT SYSTEMS SHIP QUALIFICATION TRIALS (CSSQT) BRIEF - FCT SCREENING CONFERENCE, SECOND BARGE INSPECTION

- PSA SCREENING CONFERENCE - FCT RE-SCREENING CONFERENCE

- TOMAHAWK WEAPONS SYSTEM (TWS) REVIEW, SCENARIO REVIEW, AND POTSHOT EXERCISE

- DEFUELING AND CREW MOVE-OFF IN PREPARATION FOR DRYDOCKING - PAATPAC VISIT/ASSIST - ENTERED DRYDOCK AT NATIONAL STEEL AND SHIPBUILDING COMPANY

(NASSCO), SONAR DOME INTERCHANGE BEGINS

- PSA COMMENCES

- HULL MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL (HME), INTEGRATED LOGISTICS

Encl (1)

21 FEB

22 FEB

23 FEB

27 FEB

01-06 MAR

06 MAR

09 MAR

13 MAR

15 MAR

20 MAR

21-23 MAR

03 APR

04 APR

05 APR

07 A.PR

10 APR

1 1 APR

12 APR

SUPPORT ( ILS) MEETINGS

- PSA ARRIVAL CONFERENCE

- DOME X-RAY

- CO/SUPSHIP bfEETING, CO'S CALL WITH WIVES AND GIRLFRIENDS, CNO EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STUDY BRIEFING

- CMS ASSIST VISIT

- RULES OF ENGAGEMENT TRAINING - BATTLE GROUP 'ROMEO' MEETING

-

- LAKE CHAMPLAIN UNDOCKS AND IS MOVED, ALONG WITH THE BERTHING BARGE TO PIER 4, NASSCO

- FLEET TRAINIMG GROUP (FTG) TRAINING REP MEETING WITH CO

- 25% COMPLETION CONFERENCE - TOMAHAWK SAFETY EXAMINATION

- EOSS VERIFICATION, CALIBRATION OF HME INSTRUMENTATION,

WPNTRAGRUPAC BRIEF WITH CO, COMBAT SYSTEMS LIGHTOFF

- REFUELING BEGINS

- CREW BEGINS MOVE BACK ABOARD

- AIC TRAINING ABOARD USS ANTIETAM (CG 54) AT NAS NORTH ISLAND

(NASNI), MESS DECKS REOPEN, GENERAL QUARTERS FOR BATTLE BILL

VERIFICATION AND REFTRA SCENARIO REVIEW

- TAROET MOTION ANALYSIS (TMA) TEAM TRAINER, AVIATION TRAINING

AT NASNI

- PSA 66% COMPLETION CONFERENCE, 9024 INSPECTION TEAM WELCOME

ABOARD, WAR AT SEA EXERCISE COORDINATION MEETING

- ASW COMBAT SUITE IMPROVEMENT MEETING, TOMAHAWK DATA TRANSPORT DEVICE INSTALLATION, CO ADDRESSES SURFACE WARFARE OFFICER'S

SCHOOL CLASS

17-21 APR - MOBILE TRAINING TEAM (EASTPAC) , PHASE I

22 APR - FAST CRUISE

23 APR - ENGINEERING PLANT LIGHTOFF 24 APR - PSA 75% COMPLETION CONFERENCE

25 APR - UNDERWAY POST REPAIR TRIALS I 2 MAY - UNDERWAY POST REPAIR TRIALS I1 (PSA SAILAWAY) , MAJOR LUBE OIL

LEAK, ANCHORED, SAN DIEGO BAY, (FTG ANCHORAGE)

3 MAY - TRAININe READINESS ASSESSMENT (TRE) BEGINS, LAMPS MOBILE TEAM TRAINING (LMTT) BRIEF

4 MAY - TRE ENDS AS SHIP RETURNS TO PIER 8, NAVSTA SAY DIEOO 8 MAP - HSL 45, DET 10, LT T. WEBBER OIC, ARRIVES FOR Lhfl'T

9-11 MAY -

12 MAY - L W T ENDS, HSL 45, DET 10 DEPARTS

15 MAY - EMBARKED COMDESRON 13, UNDERWAY FOR CRUISE MISSILE TACTICAL QUALIFICATION TRIALS (Chfl'QT, PART I)

17 MAY - DESROU 13 DEPARTS AS CMTQT CONCLUDES

18 MAY - ARRIVE SEAL BEACH FOR WEAPONS ONLOAD 20 MAY - RETURN TO PORT, PIER 8 NAVSTA SAN DIE(30 21 WLY - UNDERSECRETARY OF THE NAVY FOR SHIPBUILDING, WILLIAM PYATT

VISITS SHIP WITH MRS. PYATT (SHIP'S SPONSOR)

22-27 MAY - NITT, PHASE I1

24-26 MAX - CMTQT, PART I1 31 MAY-02 JUN -

06-17 JUI - UNDERWAY FOR READIEX, IN COMPANY WITH USS MEW JERSEY, USS ANTIETAM, USS STEIN, USS WADDELL, USS LOCKWOOD, USS WICHITA,

10 JUN

13 JUN

14 JUN

16 JIJN

17 JUN

19-21 JtlN

2 1 JIJN

23-25 JllN

26 JUN

27 JZTN

38 JUN

03 JUL

04 JUL

05 JUL

07 JUL

10 JUL

12 JUL

14 JUL

19 JUL

USS CALLAGHAN, USS FANNING, USS LYNDE MCCORMICK, AND USNS

KAWASHI WI

- TOKEN UNREP WITH NEW JERSEY. BROKEN SPANWIRE - SM-2 FIREX

- ASSIST OF M/V NEW AMITY - TOMAHAWK MISSILE SHOT - RETURN TO HOMEPORT - SHIPBOARD EXPLOSIVE SAFETY INSPECTION (SESI)

- CMS INSPECTION, TOURS FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING CORPS OFFICERS

- BROADWAY PIER FOR VISIT SHIP WEEKEND

- UNDERWAY, AS REFRESHER TRAINING (REFTRA) BEGINS, HSL 45 DET 10 EMBARKS

- LTJG BECOMES FIRST WOMAN TO ANCHOR USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN

- RETURN TO PORT AS FIRST WEEK OF REFTRA CONCLUDES

- SECOND WEEK OF REFTRA BEGINS - RETURN TO PORT FOR HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

- UNDERWAY FOR REFTRA, DEPUTY COMNAVSURFPAC, RADM JAMES, USNR, EMBARKS

- SECOND WEEK OF REFTRA ENDS, DEPUTY SURFPAC DEPARTS - THIRD WEEK OF REFTRA BEGINS, ASSIST OF PLEASURE CRAFT 'SEA RAIDER'

- LTJG , USN, BECOheES FIRST JUNIOR OFFICER ON

BOARD TO QUALIFY AS SURFACE WARFARE OFFICER

- REFTRA ENDS

- UNDERWAY (LOCAL OPS) FOR ONE-DAY OPERATIONAL PROPULSION PLANT EXAMINATION (OPPE) PREPS

01 AIJG

07 AlJG

1 1 AUG

12 AUG

15 AU'G

18 AUG

21 AUG

22 AUG

24 AUG

12 SEP

15 SEP

17 SEB

20 SER

28 SEY

25-27 JTJL - OPPE 27 JTJL - UNDERWAY, EN ROUTE SEATTLE FOR SEAFAIR '89, READIEX-2, IN

COMPANY WITH USS NEW JERSEY, USS ANTIETAM, USS STEIN, USS

LOCKWOOD, AND USS LYNDE MCCORMICK

- MOORED, SEATTLE, READIEX-2 CONCLUDES - DEPART SEATTLE, EN ROUTE NAVAL STATION SAN DIEGO, READIEX-3,

IN COMPANY AS ABOVE

- ARRIVED SAN DIEGO - ONE YEAR COMMISSIONING ANNIVERSARY - SEAL BEACH WEAPONS ONLOAD

- REP. TIMOTHY PENNY (MN) AND REP. LANE EVANS (IL) VISIT SHIP

- SHIP VISIT BY 25 CONGRESSIONAL STAFFERS FROM THE HOUSE ARMED

SERVICES COMMITTEE

- SHIP VISIT BY SAN DIEGO LION'S CLUB

- USS WILLIAM H. STANDLEY, SISTER SHIP, RETURNS HOME FROM WESTPAC

- UNDERWAY FOR FINAL SEA TRIALS, DEPENDENT CRUISE, AND

OMBUDSMEN APPRECIATION DAY

- UNDERWAY FOR WESTPAC DEPLOYMENT '89-90, BEGINNING WITH PACEX

'89, IN COMPANY WITH BATTLE OROUP 'ROMEO', CONSISTING OF USS

NEW JERSEY, USS LYNDE MCCORMICK, USS ANTIETAM, USS STEIN, AND

USS LOCKWOOD

- WARFARE EXELLENCE AWARDS ANNOUNCED - 'ORANGE' FORCES ENGAGED BY 'BLUE' FORCES FOR THE FIRST OF MANY

SUCH ATTACKS

- hlSR MISSILE SHOOT

29 SEP-101 OCT - EXERCISE KERNAL POTLATCH 89-2 08 OGT - INCHOP TO SEVENTH FLEET

89 OCT - RENDEZVOUS WITH BATTLE QROUP 'CHARLIE' (CARGRU FIVE, USS CARL VINSON)

10 OCT - ENCOUNTER-EX/RDVU WITH BATTLE GROUP 'FOXTROT' (CARGRU THREE, USS

ENTERPRISE)

14 OCT - FIREPOWER DEMONSTRATION, PHOTO-EX 15-31 OCT - EXERCISE VALIANT BLITZ

21 OCT - D-DAY KOREA

25 OCT - FC2 , FCC , SM2 BECOW FIRST CREWMEN TO

QUALIFY ENLISTED SURFACE WARFARE SPECIALIST (ESWS) ABOARD

LAKE CHAMPLAI N

27-29 OCT - PORT VISIT PUSAN, KOREA 38 OCT-81 NOV - EXERCISE VALIANT USHER 01 NOV - BATTLE GROUP 'ROMEO' DETACHES AS PACEX '89 ENDS

83-09 NOV - PORT VISIT NAVAL STATION SUBIC BAY, RP

07 NOV - COWEVENTHFLT, VADM MAUZ, VISITS SHIP 09 NOV - AFTER QUICK AMMO ONLOAD, UNDERWAY EN ROUTE HONG KONG

11-15 NO'V - PORT VISIT HONG KONG 16 NOV - DETACHED FROM BATTLE GROUP 'ROMEO' TO ASSIST M/V OCEAN

CAMPAIGNER

17 NOY - ARRIVED ON STATION TO ASSIST M/V, DETACHED TO PROCEED EN ROUTE

S I NGiAPORE

18 NOQ - U.S. NAVY SAFETY STANDOWN

18-10 NO17 - SAR EFFORT FOR LOST CREWMAN FROM USS LOCKWOOD

20-23 NOV - PORT VISIT SINGAPORE 24 NOW - UNDERWAY FOR NORTH ARABIAN SEA (WAS) OPS, TRANSIT STRAIT OF

25 NClV

09 DEC

10 DEC

1 1 DEC

15 DEC

16 DEC

22 DEC

23-28 DEC

29 DBC

31 DEC

MCLLACCA, IN COMPANY WITH BATTLE OROUP 'ROMEO' AND USNS

HASSAYAMPA

- USS STERETT JOINS THE BATTLE GROUP - ARRIVE MUSCAT, OMAN, WARDROOM PARTY FOR AMERICAN EMBASSY AND BRITISH NAVAL PERSONNEL

- OMAN1 NAVAL OFFICER'S TOUR - DEPARTED MUSCAT FOR FURTHER NAS OPS - HALFWAY POINT IN DEPLOYMENT - 'HUMP DAY' CELEBRATION MARKS HALFWAY POINT

- TRANSIT OF STRAIT OF MALACCA - SECOND PORT VISIT SINGAPORE - EMERGENCY LANDING BY SEASNAKE 16, EMBARKED USS STEIN - SEASNAKE 16 FLIES OFF, LAKE CHAMPLAIN CLOSES OUT THE LONG,

BUSY YEAR, ANCHORED AT PATTAYA BEACH, THAILAND

USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CG 57) began 1989 quietly, engaged in holiday leave and upkeep. On January 3rd, however, with the ending of the holiday leave period, she and her crew would begin a very busy year with very little time for rest or relaxation.

January 4 saw LAKE CHAMPLAIN hosting George Washington University's NROTC Unit for a tour and Aegis indoctrination. On the following day, she was underway for Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station for an ammunition offload in prepara,tion for her upcoming Post Shakedown Availability (PSA). She returned to Naval Station, San Diego on the 7th of January.

Final Contract Trials (FCT) began January 9th, as the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) arrived. 13 January began the PSA Conference, as Final Cont,raclt Trials came to an end. Three days later, on 16 January, the ship began her Restricted Availability (SRA) as work commenced on replacing her hurricane bulwark:, lost in the previous year's transit around Cape Horn. In conjunction with this, the crew started the process of growing accustomed to the long hours and high noise levels associated with SRA.

23 January began a 3M Assist for LAKE CHAMPLAIN and saw a VIP tour for members of the NATO Assembly. Supervisor of Shipbuilding, San Diego arrived for a Pre-PSA Conference on the 25th, and the crew's berthing barge was given its first inspection on the 27th. The 27th also marked the conclusion of the 3M Assist Visit, with nothing less than outstanding results.

In the midst of continuing PSA preparations, a Combat Systems Ship QualLification Trials (CSSQT) Brief was held on February lst, an indication that the ship was already being prepared for the many trials that would follow her Restricted Availability. 2 February marked a return to the business at hand as an PCT Screening Conference was held and a second berthing barge inspection took place. A re-screening conference followed two days later, on 4 February.

A Tomahawk Weapons System (TWS) review took place on February 7 and 8, with a scenario review and Exercise Potshot. From 13 to 15 February the ship conducted refueling and crew move-off in preparation for transfer to drydock. 14 to 17 February saw an assist visit from the Personnel Administrative Assist Team Pircific (PAATPAC). At the concluaion of the visit, the team noted that LAKE CHAhtPLAINYs administrative offices were 'the best they'd ever seen, an example for all other ship's on the waterfront to follow.'

LAKE CHAMPLAIN entered drydock at National Steel and Shipbuilding (NASSCO), San Diego, on the morning of February lath, almost immediately beginning work with a sonar dome interchange that same day. February 20 officially began PSA, and thfe next three days saw Hull Mechanical and Electrical (HME), Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) and arrival conference evaluations and meetings. With these came the dust, dirt and ever-present noise of a burgeoning yard period.

Encl (2)

Captain R. K. Martin, USN, Commanding Officer, attended numerous meetings on 23 February, ranging from a meeting with SUPSHIP to a CO's call with the crew's wives and girlfriends, held for the purpose of explaining the necessity of long hours and arduous work at hand during PSA. At the same time, representatives from the CNO visited the ship to conduct an Equal Opportunity Study Briefing.

27 February marked a CMS Assist Visit, followed by Rules of Engagement Training from March 1st through the 6th. The 6th also began the long series of meetings with representatives from Battle Group 'ROMEO', with whom LAKE CHAMPL,AIN was slated to deploy. March 9 brought another meeting with SUPSHIP and an undocking detail conference. The pace of both material work and personnel training continued to quicken,

, also on the 9th.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN left the drydock and moored to Pier Four, NASSCO on March 13, and was visited by her Fleet Training Group (FTG) representative on the 15th. Although free from the strains of drydock work, the ship and crew still had a lot of ground to cover. Despite this, the 25 Percent Completion Conference, held on March 20th, was a cause for optimism and a feeling of accomplishment.

21--23 March saw a Tomahawk Safety Examination for combat systems personnel and equipment. As anticipated, the results were outstanding across the board. April 3 began with EOSS verification and calibration of HME instrumentation, as well an a Weapons Training Group Briefing with the CO, and ended with a succ:essrful lightoff of the ship's combat systems.

Refueling commenced on April 4, and the crew began the move back aboard on the 5th. On 7 April, the messdecks reopened, and the great warship began once more to come to life. The 7th also saw a practice general quarters to muster at battle stations and provide the crew a threat scenario overview for the coming Refresher Training Battle Problem.

The pace of training picked up, with Air Intercept Controller (AIC) School, held aboard USS ANTIETAM (CG 5 4 1 , Target Motion Analysis (TMA) team trainers, and additional aviation training at North Island Naval Air Station (NASNI).

1 1 April marked the PSA 66% Completion Conference, the 9024 Inspection Team welc~ome aboard, and a War at Sea Exercise Coordination Meeting. The following day proved equally hectic, with an ASW Combat Suite Improvement Meeting, instiallation of Tomahawk Mission Data Transport Devices (DTDfsl, and a speaking engagement for the CO at Surface Warfare Officer's School (SWOS) , at NAB Coronado.

The remainder of April would prove to be even busier, with MTT Phase I, from the 1.7th to the 22nd, a fast cruise, also on the 22nd, and the Engineering Plant Lightoff on the 23rd. The 24th brought with it the PSA 75% Completion Conference and the 25th marked the Phase I Underway Post Repair Trials.

May 2nd brought with it Phase I1 of Post Repair Trials and the long-awaited PSA Sailaway. After countless upgrades and repairs to her combat and engineering systems, including the conversion of two voids into fuel tanks for another 18,000 gallons of fuel capacity, LAKE CHAMPLAIN was ready to sail on to

her next set of challenges. PSA would not end quietly, though. While en route to the FTG anchorage, the ship experienced a major lube oil leak. Quick action by the crew kept the casualty from becoming too serious, and LAKE CHAMPLAIN made it to anchorage on time, settling in for her first night out of PSA.

Training Readiness Assessment (TRE) began the very next day as the ship remained at the Fleet Training Group Anchorage. Also held on board was a LAMPS Mobile Team Training (LMTT) for the ships ASW team. TRE would end the next day with no restrictive discrepancies and all fifteen mission areas rated as outstanding, earning high praise from the inspectors as well as COMNAVSURFPAC, VADM R. K. U. Kihune. In extending his personal congratulations to the crew, he stated that the high scores were 'accomplishments of which all hands can be very proud. [yourl preparation was outstanding. Well Done.' LAKE CHAMPLAIN returned home to Pier 8, Naval Station, San Diego that evening.

May 8th saw a return to the training mode a8 HSL 45 Det 10 arrived for a second phase of LMTT. The inspections kept pace, however, as the

paid a visit from 9 to 1 1 May. The majority of the fourteen areas examined were noted as outstanding and, according to the final report, 'attention to detail was noted in all areas . . . command support throughout the assist was noted and appreciated by all team members.' LMTT ended on 12 May, with equally outstanding results.

May 15 began Cruise Missile Tactical Qualification Trials (CMTQT), Part I. COMDESRON 13 embarked for the two-day trials, departing on the 17th. The following day, after the conclusion of CMTQT, LAKE CHAMPLAIN arrived at Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station for onload. 20 May saw her returning to home port, and 21 May saw a visit from Undersecretary of the Navy for Shipbuilding, Edward L. Pyatt. Accompanying him was the ship's sponsor, Mrs. Pyatt.

The pace of operations continued to heat up as MTT Phase I1 was held 22-27 May. Within this period, CMTQT, Part I1 was conducted 24-26 May. Finally, from 31 May to 2 June, a was performed. The results from all three of these major milestones were uniformly outstanding.

June 6 saw LAKE CHAMPLAIN underway for READIEX I , in company with USS NEW JERSEY (BB 621, USS ANTIETAM (CG 541, USS CALLAGHAN (DDG 9941, USS LYNDE MCCORMICK (DDQ 81, USS WADDELL (DDQ 241, USS LOCKWOOD (FF 10641, USS STEIN (FF 10651, USS WICHITA (AOR 1 1 , and USNS KAWISHIWI (T-A0 146). During the next eleven days, the ships of READIEX would conduct numerous drills and exercises, all with the goal of preparing for deployment. May 10th marked a token UNREP with NEW JERSEY, one of the results of which was a broken spanwire. Fortunately, no injuries resulted aboard LAKE CHAMPLAIN or NEW JERSEY.

13 June saw a highly successful missile FIREX in concert with USS ANTIETAM. June 14 marked an unplanned addition to LAKE CHAMPLAIN'S schedule as she was steaming along the California coast. Hailed by a passing Taiwan merchantman, the M/V NEW AMITY, LAKE CHAMPLAIN was requested to provide medical assistance for a crewman who was seriously ill. Moving within close proximity, LAKE CHAMPLAIN launched one of her LAMPS helicopters to MEDEVAC the man. After hovering over the deck for more than ten minutes, the crewman was finally picked up and flown ashore to Andrews AFB.

June 15 wa3 $pent within the Pacific Missile Teat Center Range, awaiting ideal weather conditions for a long-planned and anticipated Tomahawk Anti-Ship Missile Test Firing. Finally, on the 16th of June, LAKE CHAMPLAIN fired her tomahawk missile. The shot was a complete success, overflying the target hulk, the EX-USS TOLMAN (DMS 281, as planned. The following day brought with it a return to homeport for the 'CHAMP', now sporting a broom from her rigging, signifying a clean sweep during READIEX I.

19-21 June brought a Shipboard Explosive Safety Inspection (SESI), followed immebdia.tely by a CMS Inspection, also on the 21st. At the same time, LAKE CHAMPLAIN hosted some 25 senior civil engineering corps officers for a tour. The inspections were highly successful, and the CEC tour provided a nice warmup for the weekend that followed as the ship moved to Broadway Pier as visit ship from 23 to 25 June.

June 26 marked the beginning of Refresher Training (REFTRA) as HSL 45, Det 10, once again embarked and LAKE CHAMPLAIN headed for the waters of the SOCAL OPAREAS. The battle problem scenarios and training exercises began almost immediately, with general quarters becoming a daily event.

On June 27, LTJG from NAVSUBBASE San Diego became the first woman to anchor the LAKE CHAMPLAIN, pulling into FTG Anchorage No. 217 that afternoon. The first week of REFTRA ended on 30 June as the ship returned to Pier 8, Naval Station, San Diego.

3 July began the second week of REFTRA and, after a brief respite in celebration for the 4th of July, the ship was again underway off SOCAL on 5 July. Embarked aboard for the three days of exercises was RADM James, Deputy COMNAVSURFPAC. The 7th marked an unusual return to port as CAPT Martin took the conn from the forecastle. Conning via sound-powered phone, with throttle cont.rol in engineering central and steering control in after steering, CAPT Martin maneuvered the ship into anchorage. Utilizing fixes taken from the forecastle with sextant angles and plotted with three-arm protractors, the Captiain proved that even with significant battle damage, the ship could conduct a precision anchorage well within REFTRA standards and tolerances. Deputy SURFPAC departed that same day, much impressed by LAKE CHAMPLAIN and her crew.

I0 July began the third and final week of REFTRA as LAKE CHAMPLAIW, en route to anchorage in the evening hours, assisted the pleasure craft SEA RAIDER into port after an engine casualty left her adrift off of San Clemente Island. This action would once again earn high praise for the CHAMP as her reputation grew.

LTJG , USN, became the first officer to Surface Warfare qualnfy on board CG 57, earning the right to wear the Surface Warfare breast insilinia on the 12th of July. Two days later, on the 14th, Refresher Training ended successfully, and LAKE CHAMPLAIN returned to port for a well-deserved rest .

The rest period would prove to be a short one, however, as LAKE CHAMPLAIN woulcl again be underway on the 19th of July, this time for a one day preparation for the upcoming Operational Pro ulsion Plant Examination (OPPE). 25-27 July marked the real thing as the OPP H team of inspectors put the ship's engineering

plant and personnel through their paces. In the end, the 'CHAMP' was once again highly successful, prompting RADM Reason to state that 'your pattern of success grows daily, and gives me substantial pleasure to have you on the Battle Group 'ROMEO' team. Well Done.'

LAKE CHAMPLAIN would only have about an hour pierside at the conclusion of OPPE; just long enough to debark the inspectors, load a few stores and say a few quick goodbyes to the small group of wives gathered on the pier. Following that, it was back to sea, this time en route to Seattle with Battle Group 'ROMEO', for Seafair '89. READIEX I1 took place during the transit, ending as the slhips entered the Straits of Juan de Fuca. The group arrived in Seattle on 1 August 1980, and tours began almost immediately.

August 7 marked the end of Seafair as Battle Oroup 'ROMEO' was again underway, this time for the transit home. As before, numerous exercises would be co~nduoted along the way, comprising READIEX 111. The transit ended 1 1 August, as LAKE CHAMPLAIN returned to Pier 8, Naval Station, San Diego. The following day marked the one-year anniversary since her commissioning as a full- fledged Naval warship. The celebration would prove to be a quiet one as an ever-increasing optempo loomed ahead.

15 August brought with it another visit to the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station for a brief onload before returning again to San Diego. August 18 marked a visit by House Representatives Timothy Penny (MN) and Lane Evans (IL), followed on the 21st by 25 congressional staff members from the House Armed Servilces Committee. The San Diego Lion's Club was welcomed aboard for a luncheon on the 22nd, and LAKE CHAMPLAIN closed out the month by welcoming home her sister ship, USS WILLIAM H. STANDLEY, upon her return from WESTPAC. This would se:rve as a reminder to the crew that LAKE CHAMPLAIN's own deployment was less than one month away.

Final Sea Trials were conducted on September 12, and the ship took the opportunity to hold a dependent's cruise and Ombudsman Appreciation Day celebration, sailing the SOCAL waters off the San Diego coast. The cruise was a resounding success in all respects, from the sea trials to the crew and their families, having an opportunity to be together on a day that would have otherwise been just another underway workday.

15 September marked the beginning of LAKE CHAMPLAIN'S first WESTPAC deployment. As the crew's wives and families looked on, the ship took in her mooring lines and slowly pulled away from her Pier 8 home. The group of men manning the rails in white uniforms waved their last goodbyes as the ship left the Naval Station far behind in the early morning haze. The long awaited, often dreaded first WESTPAC had begun.

September 15th also brought with it the Chief Petty Officers' initiation. Beginning almost immediately as the ship left San Diego Bay, it would last until the following morning, the dozen or so CPO selectees paying their dues on their way to earning the right to wear chief's anchors. Meanwhile, LAKE CHAMPLAIN formed up with the other units of Battle Group 'ROMEO', beginning the process of becoming 'ORANGE' forces for the upcoming PACEX '89 wargames.

September 17th saw the announcement of the COMNAVSURFPAC Warfare Excellence Awards. LAKE CHAMPLAIN garnered awards for ASW, ASUW, AAW, Command and Control, EW, Navigation and Seamanship, Damage Control and Engineering, an impressive performance for a first time competitor.

On September 20, after five days of eluding the numerically superior 'BLUE' Forces, Battle Group "ROMEO' was finally spotted and attacked by 'BLUE' aircraft. It would be the first of many such attacks over the next few days.

September 28 saw the scheduled Mobile Sea Range (MSR) exercise, an opportunity for close to a dozen U.S. Navy warships to participate in a mock air war. The day also saw an unscheduled turn of events as LAKE CHAMPLAIN, given lesi3 than 48 hours notice to prepare, coordinated the entire MSR-EX when the original coordinating ship developed technical difficulties. The operation was a complete success from start to finish, earning high praises from the OTC for 'a magnificent job' and 'coming through in spades.'

29 September through 1 October had LAKE CHAMF'LAIN as AAW Commander for the Amphibious Exercise Kernal Potlatch 89-2 . October 8 marked the battle group's chop into SEVENTH Fleet, and October 9 and 10 brought rendezvous with Battle Groups 'CHARLIE' (CARGRU FIVE, embarked USS CARL VINSON) and 'FOXTROT' (CARGRU THRE:E, embarked USS ENTERPRISE) respectively. This would be the prelude to the October 14th firepower demonstration and photo exercise that would involve more than 50 ships of the U.S. and Japanese Navies. Units from two CVBG's, two BBBG's and various other SAG'S lined up in an arrowhead formation for the largest gathering of ships since World War 11. After a brief moment of excitement, when one of the center ships developed a steering casualty and had to maneuver through several lines to stand clear of the formation, the photo-ex went quickly and smoothly.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN once again served as AAWC for an amphib-ex, Exercise Valiant Blitz '89, from 15-30 October, with D-Day on the 21$t. During this exercise, CG 57 qualified her first Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialists, as FC2

r, FCC and SM2 set high standards for future ESWS candidates during their three-hour board.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN'S first port visit of the deployment came on October 27th as she pulled into Pusan, Korea. For three days the officers and crew enjoyed the beautiful weather, excellent shopping and delicious food to be had in Pusan, made all the more enjoyable because it was their first liberty after six weeks of uxlderway time. The ship left Pusan on the morning of 30 October and promptly returned to the fast-paced action as Exercise Valiant Usher began that same day.

I'ACEX '89 and Valiant Usher both ended on November 1st. and LAKE CHAMPLAIN set sail for the Naval Station at Subic Bay, RP. As the Battle Group drew closer t,o the Philippines, the weather grew warmer and warmer, and the crews, having dealt with the cold of the Aleutians and the Sea of Japan, began to gratefully shed their winter gear. The CHAMP arrived in Subic on 3 November.

Commander SEVENTH Fleet, VADM Mauz, paid a visit to CG 57 on November 7 to personally welcome LAKE CHAMPLAIN into SEVENTH Fleet service. Speaking at a meeting with the ship'^ officers and chiefs, he stressed the importance of

WESTPAG aervice while at the game time commending LAKE CHAMPLAIN on her impressive record prior to joining SEVENTH Fleet. "With your tradition of already excellent performance, it is a pleasure to have you serve with us,' he said in parting.

After a quick ammunition onload at Nabusan Wharf, LAKE CHAMPLAIN departed Subic Bay for Hong Kong, arriving 1 1 November. Following a four day visit, it was on to Singapore.

En route, Battle Group 'ROMEO' received several reports of a distressed vessel, the M/V OCEAN CAMPAIGNER, adrift and taking on water in her after engine room. CG 57 was tasked to investigate and, if required, render assistance. Upon arrival, it was discovered that the 90,000 ton merchantman was indeed adrift, but riding high and dry. After verifying that oceangoing tugs were already en route to assist, LAKE CHAMPLAIN departed the area and continued on her way to Singapore on November 17.

The Singapore transit was again interrupted, this time in the early morning hours of 18 November, when USS LOCKWOOD (FF 1064) reported a missing crewman, believed to have possibly fallen overboard several hours before. LOCKWOD and LAKE CHAMPLAIN spent the next two days repeatedly combing the area for the missing man. The search would prove fruitless and would be called off on 19 November. Ironically, the man overboard and the search and rescue operation associated with him would coincide with the Navy-Wide Safety Standdown held on 18 and 19 November.

Battle Group 'ROMEO' spent their Thanksgiving holiday in Singapore, departing for the Strait of Malacca and North Arabian Sea (NAS) operations on the 24th of November. USS STERETT would join the group the following day, and the next two weeks would see routine patrols and numerous exercises in the WAS OPAREA.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN was detached on 7 December to proceed independently for a brief port visit in Muscat, Oman. The CHAMP arrived on the Qth, and that evening the wardroom held a Christmas Party for the U.S. Embassy Staff and several Bxitish Naval Attaches to the Royal Oman Navy. The following day brought a group of Omani naval officers for a guided tour and Aegis Combat Systems Demonstration. The ship departed Oman on 1 1 December, the crew having enjoyed their brief respite from NAS OPS.

15 December marked the half-way point in the deployment, and LAKE CHAMPLAIN held a 'Hump Day' celebration the following day. The celebration included a steel beach picnic, talent show, and a kite flying contest, as well as a 'Conehead the Bonehead' contest to decide who had the ugliest shaved head. Shortly thereafter, Battle Group 'ROMEO' began the long transit from the NAS and Indian Ocean.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN again transited the Malacca Strait, this time on 22 December. Arriving on the 23rd, the crew spent a quiet Christmas in Singapore. Despite being over 7,000 miles from home, the festive atmosphere in Singapore provided an enjoyable Christmas for all hands.

The CHAMP departed Singapore on December 28, this time bound for Pattaya Beach, Thailand. The transit was not to be an uneventful embarked in USS STEIN (FF 10651, declared an in-flight of 29 December and made an emergency landing aboard no injuries, and after two days (and nights) of able to return to STEIN in the early same morning, LAKE CHAMPLAIN anchored at

Tho USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN had come full circle in 1989, starting with PSA, moving on to Final Contract Trials, REFTRA and READIEX in the inevitable drive to her first deployment. Now, 7,000 miles and half a WESTPAC later, she would end 1989, her officers and crew looking ahead to more exotic liberty ports and the eventual return home.